London Life – a peak at the everyday side of one of the most amazing cities in the world.

It’s sometimes funny, the path that life takes you on. Scott and I never dreamed ten years ago that traveling to London would one day become a fairly normal part of our lives, but when our daughter and her husband moved to the UK six years ago, all that changed. We can’t stay away from this little family for long, so we find ourselves visiting this amazing city of over 8 million several times each year.

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I must say though, despite the fact that we’ve visited London many times since they first arrived, it never grows old and definitely hasn’t become boring for us. In fact, this time we’ve been here only two days and already Scott’s taken a boatload of pictures. Our waking hours have been busy, busy, busy with this little herd of four kiddies.

I thought it might be fun to share a bit of what we’ve been up to and let you see everyday London Life, from a photographers point of few. Scott loves to capture life beyond the typical touristy things that you see so often in the media.

His pictures will help you see that the statement from the opening of this post is so true: it really does seem that everywhere we look in this vast city, there’s something beautiful, quaint, charming or delicious. That’s why I’m asking, “anyone out there have some blinders”? Maybe a pair for Scott (and his camera) too – I had a dickens of a time trying to pick out a reasonable number of pictures for this post!

We arrived on Friday morning and, after a lovely nap (to wipe away the jet lag), we set off with our daughter and the children for Hyde Park. It’s one of our favorite places in all of London. We love to stroll through the park as it goes on forever and there are beautiful playgrounds for the young ones. It’s crazy but sunset arrives around 4pm these days in England and we caught this lovely one at a little café right on the Serpentine.

I did say we had four grandchildren but there’s been a new addition since the last time we visited. Meet Crocket, the fifth member of “the herd”.

Our first full day happened to be Saturday, which is market day for our daughter, Cait. We love to go with her as it’s an amazing market with not only beautiful produce but eggs, fish, organic meat, flowers, artisan breads and fabulous baked goods as well. Oh, what a market it is, check it out!

We picked out a sweet treat at the market. When I opened the little paper packet and show it to Luke, this was his response. I felt the same way when I took the first bite!

It seems there are flowers peeking and poking through every nook and cranny here in the UK. And they seem to be ignoring the fact that winter is right around the corner and they’re definitely going out in style!

We love walking and window shopping in this fantastic city. It seems there’s something fun and interesting to see at every glance.

Public transportation is the norm here as it is in most big cities. We navigate all over London via “The Tube” (the London underground transportation system). It’s clean, quiet and very efficient.

And what’s a day in London without the Queen? There she was and all dressed in royal purple!

So that’s a little glimpse of London through our eyes. We’re constantly amazed at the natural, God-created beauty that is so evident in this city and throughout in the United Kingdom and appreciate the charm of British history, architecture, culture, people and lifestyle.

We’ll be back on Tuesday to share an iconic British treat, Sticky Toffee Pudding. You will love this incredibly delicious taste of England. It’s a favorite dessert here at The Café will be perfect for your holiday recipe arsenal! Cheers!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Oh my gosh, Chris, I’m so hopelessly behind! We just returned from a trip to Georgia where we visited dear friends and am trying to catch up here 🙂 Your daughter is beautiful! I think she could be a model. What an amazing market and the photos that Scott took are wonderful! That smile on your granddaughter’s face is priceless ♥

These are wonderful pictures, Scott. Thank you. Michael and I used to go to London once a year – only – but we didn’t have grandchildren there. I haven’t been back for at least 12 years and I miss that city. I have always thought the Brits were special in every way and your pictures only tell me that still is the case.

What fabulous pictures, Scott. . Thank you. Michael and I used to go to London only once a year (we didn’t have grandchildren there). I haven’t been there for at least 12 years and I miss it. I have always thought the Brits are special in every way and your picture only tells me that nothing has changed.

Thankyou so much for sharing your beautiful photos….I love London. I have been 3times in the last 30 years or so….each time was special, thats one city I would never tire of……especially the flowers everywhere………how lucky you are.

Thanks for your wonderful comment Marcia! We do love this city – it is so international now, and the range of food is literally staggering. You can find anything the world has to offer here – which makes these two foodies very excited!

You are so lucky to be visiting London so often, the best place in the world for me. My husband and I lived there for one year before the children were born (well, I got pregnant in Walthamstow) and I still miss it so much, I dream about being there again regularly, then I wake up and am dissapointed….

It’s been many years since I left my birthplace in Nottingham England. Colorado is my home now. but when I saw Scott’s wonderful photos I certainly felt a twinge of wanderlust. He certainly captured the essence of British culture. You have a beautiful family. Enjoy your visit and I look forward to your recipes.

How lovely! The only reason that I am not insanely envious is that you so obviously know how lucky you are and seem to enjoy every moment! I love Sticky Toffee Pudding and make it every winter. I look forward to your recipe though, as your versions of many of my favorites are always excellent.

I”ve been loving your facebook pics! You have such a lovely family and they are so lucky to have you visit so often. I would never tire of London either! I’m curious though, do they have British accents? Love these photos, I could look at your photography all day! Thanks for the virtual travel!

Thanks Kim, that’s so sweet! Each one has a little of the British accent in their voices. They tend to temporarily lose it when they come to the States in the summer and then regain it when they return to the UK and school each September. Elle probably has the strongest accent, as she was in the language forming stages when they came over here.

Your grand kids are growing up so fast.. I’d love to go back to London again, would it be alright if you packed me in your suitcase. Well either way, next time I go, I’m contacting you for a list of all the places and eateries I need to go to.

All the places look beautiful and the food incredible! Of all the eateries, which is your favorite? What about sites?

Hooray, I’ve been looking for a recipe for sticky toffee puddin and I know yours will be divine!! LOVE all the photos—Scott did a marvelous job capturing the market and Cait and you and more! Enjoy every second with your precious family!!!

What a lovely family! The photos are fantastic. Oh, how I wish produce was that fresh and beautiful as it is in the market there! What a blessing that you can go to the UK so often. You must hate to leave.

You and your husband’s wonderful photos make me want to travel to London. Maybe someday. Thanks for taking us along on your adventure. You have a lovely family, and the new dog looks like a sweet addition.